State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond was joined by Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi (D-Los Angeles), State Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Alhambra) and education leaders to announce that California is on track and committed to reduce chronic absenteeism by 50% over five years. Superintendent Thurmond announced the release of new guidance to improve student attendance statewide, developed in partnership with Attendance Works and the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence.

Attendance Works Vice President of Programs Cecelia Leong, California Collaborative for Educational Excellence Deputy Executive Director Sujie Shin, Folsom Cordova Unified School District Superintendent Erik Swanson, FCUSD Child Welfare and Attendance Specialist Maggie Cunin and FCUSD student representatives also spoke about the importance of promoting school attendance and supporting families to get students to school.

Rates of chronic absenteeism in FCUSD mirror statewide trends, and Swanson credits the district’s receipt of a California Community Schools Partnership Program grant as a “game changer” for improving school attendance.

As a former social worker, Thurmond noted the importance of Community Schools strategies for improving school attendance.

“When our students aren’t showing up to school, our schools need the resources to knock on doors and ask why,” he said.

For information, visit cde.ca.gov.